Spinning reel



Jan. 1Q, 1967 M. E. WOOD 3,296,731

SPINNING REEL Original Filed Aug. 25, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MORRIS E. W000 ATTORNEY M. E. WOOD SPINNING REEL Jan. 10, 1967 7Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 25, 1961 INVENTOR ORRIS E. WoonATTORNEY .Fan. 10, 1967 M. E. WOOD 3, 96,73

SPINNING REEL Original Filed Aug. 25, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

RRIS E. WOOD A TORNEY Jan. 10, 19%? M. E. woos 3,296,731

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INVENTOR.

MORRIS E. W000 I26 KI32 n m H La 4:2;

TTORNEY M. E. WOOD SPINNING REEL Jan. 10, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 OriginalFiled Aug. 25, 1961 Jan. 10, 1967 M. E. WOOD 3,296,731

SPINNING REEL Original Filed Aug. 25, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

MORRIS E. W000 WAMW ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,296,731 SPINNINGREEL Morris E. Wood, Bronson, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, toBronson Specialties, Inc., Bronson,

Micl1., a corporation of Michigan Continuation of application Ser. No.133,907, Aug. 25, 1961. This application Jan. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 339,571

25 Claims. (Cl. 4320) This application is a continuation of myapplication Serial No. 133,907, filed August 25, 1961, now abandoned.

The subject invention relates generally to fishing reels and moreparticularly to a reel of the spinning type.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide aline control assembly which preferably includes a drum or supportadapted for rotation relative to a spool, a line engaging controlelement pivotally mounted on the drum, which serves the dual function ofdirecting line onto the spool and in braking or stopping its flowtherefrom, and a control member which is also pivotally mounted on thedrum and engageable with the control element and various bearingsurfaces on the reel to assist in positioning the control element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel comprised ofvarious self-contained subassemblies or units embodying improvedprinciples of design and construction and in which certain ones areoperatively assembled and disassembled in unique ways.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an organizationwhereby line friction is substantially reduced, thereby providing a morepowerful retrieve in relationship to any given drag setting.

A significant object of the invention is to provide a unique combinationcomprising a rod or pole and a reel provided with a line control and acover having a relatively large opening therein for guiding a line, inwhich the distance between the longitudinal axes of the rod and reel,the distance between the opening in the cover and a line guide eye onthe rod, and the relative diameters between the opening and line controlare so related that any friction occurring between the margin of thematerial defining the opening and the line is materially reduced to aminimum to promote free flow of the line within the distance or areabetween the line control and guide eye.

Also, a very important object of the invention is to provide a reelhaving a tubular post or an extension, within the confines of which ismounted a reciprocable means or element which has one end operativelyconnected to a part of the reel mechanism and an opposite end adaptedfor disposition adjacent the rod for manual operation to actuate thesaid part.

A specific object of the invention is to provide an improved rodassembly comprising a body structure provided with a recess or chamberpreferably located at the upper side of the rod and a tubular bearingextending downwardly from its underside for slidably receiving thereciprocable element, above referred to, with an actuator or controlmounted for movement in the recess for imparting movement to saidelement. Otherwise expressed, provision is made on the rod for operatinga part of the reel mechanism, as distinguished from utilizing a lever atthe rear extremity of a reel of the closed face type which has a coverprovided with an opening therein through which the line flows.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel reel which isspecifically designed and constructed for use with a particular rod orpole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reel, which, amongother things, includes a reciprocable spool, means for reciprocating thespool and improved means whereby the spool can be readily detachablyconnected to the reciprocating means.

ice

A specific object of the invention is to provide a novel setup wherebythe line control assembly can be readily shifted or operated through theagency of an actuator associated with the rod, as above referred to.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a reel in which acover therefor is provided with a line guide opening which is designedand constructed by an annular portion offering advantages with respectto line control and reduction in frictional resistance to line flow.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a structure which offersadvantages with respect to ease of manipulation, efiiciency, durability,balance, manufacture and assembly.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention or inventionsembodied in the reel structure will become apparent after thedescription hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with thedrawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings where a preferred form of the reel is exemplified:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a reel and rod assembly embodyingthe invention or inventions;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the reel and a portion of the rod;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the reel detached from the rod;

FIGURE 4 is a partial elevational side view of the reel which is opposedto the side which carries a driving mechanism;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a cover of the reel;

FIGURES 6 through l3exemplify an actuator or lever, means for mountingthe same on the handle of a rod or pole, means for providing anoperative connection between the actuator and a part of the reelmechanism, and FIGURE 6 is a top view of the handle;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 77 of FIGURE6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on line 8-8of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 99 ofFIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 1010 ofFIGURE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 1111 ofFIGURE 8;

FIGURE 12 is a top view of structural details of a chamber provided inthe rod handle for the actuator;

FIGURE 13 is a bottom view of structural details of a recess or seatprovided in the rod handle for detachably receiving a reel attachingplate;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the reel and aportion of a rod showing the line control assembly in a line windingposition;

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged partial vertical section showing the linecontrol element in a retracted position whereby the line is free tounwind from the spool;

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the linecontrol assembly shifted to a forward position to initiate a cast;

FIGURE 17 is a vertical section of a part of the reel illustrating adriven shaft and a drag assembly and a portion of a line controlassembly operatively associated therewith;

FIGURE 18 is a view showing a mode of attaching a part of an actuatingmeans with a cam, the latter of which is adapted to cooperate with aline control element;

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged partial horizontal section depicting structuraldetails of the driving means and mounting unit for the driven shaft andspool;

FIGURE 20 is a partial vertical section of the reel, taken substantiallyon line 2020 of FIGURE 19, de picting internal structure thereof;

FIGURE 21 is a partial vertical section taken substantially on line21-21 of FIGURE 19 showing a detachable side member of the reel whichcarries the driving means and a ratchet mechanism therefor:

FIGURE 22 is a transverse section, taken substantially on line 2222 ofFIGURE 19, showing certain internal structure;

FIGURE 23 is a perspective view of a mounting unit for the drive shaft;

FIGURE 24 is a transverse section taken through the reel to show detailswith respect to attaching the mounting unit to the reel frame;

FIGURE 25 is an enlarged transverse vertical section showing a mode ofdetachably connecting the spool to the mounting unit and shifting means;

FIGURE 26 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 2626 ofFIGURE 14 showing the reel in a line winding position;

FIGURE 27 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 27-27 ofFIGURE 15, depicting the line control element in a retracted positionwhereby the line may flow freely from the spool following the initialstart of cast;

FIGURE 28 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 2828 ofFIGURE 16 showing components in a line braking or initial castingposition;

FIGURE 29 is a side view of a portion of a drum constituting a componentof the line control assembly, with an opening in the side wall of thedrum through which the line control element may be projected;

FIGURE 30 is a transverse section showing a mode of operativelyconnecting components of the line control assembly; and

FIGURE 31 is another transverse section illustrating structural detailsof the line control assembly.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1, 2, 14 and 19, the reel may bebriefly described as comprising a frame generally designated 1, areciprocably mounted spool 2, a line control assembly 3 mounted on adriven shaft 4 for controlling a line 5, actuating means 6 attached tothe spool, driving means 7 operatively connected to the actuating meansand to the driven shaft for simultaneously reciprocating the spool androtating the shaft and control assembly as a unit, shiftable means 8, anactuator 9 carried by or mounted on a handle of a rod or pole 10 formanually operating the shiftable means to move the latter including theaforesaid unit forwardly, and a drag assembly 11 operatively connectedto the control assembly and driven shaft and extending into a relativelylarge opening 12 provided in a cover 13 which affords a frictionaldriving connection between the control assembly and the shaft.

The reel frame 1 includes a cup formation 14 and an elongate attachingportion or plate 15 joined to the cup by a tubular post 16. The cupcomprises an annular wall 17 and a vertical base wall structure 18provided with a large vertical rectangular clearance opening 19. It mayalso be stated that the frame includes the wall structure 18 from whichthe annular wall 17 projects. The frame also comprises a rearwardlyextending hollow formation defined by an upper or top integral inclinedwall 20, a rear wall 21 disposed substantially parallel to the cup, anda lower inclined wall 22 which merges with the post 16 and base wallstructure 18. The upper and lower walls 21 and 22 are provided withthreaded apertures 23.

As evidenced in FIGURE 22, a pair of similar side plates 24 and 25 arerespectively detachably secured against the sides of the hollowformation, above referred to, by screws 26 which extend through holes inthe plates and connect with apertures 23. The plate 25 is provided witha hollow offset 27 which carries the driving means 7 in a manner to bedescribed subsequently.

The post 16 of the reel frame is preferably angularly disposed withrelation to the longitudinal axis of the cup 14 and attaching plate 15and is made tubular by providing the same with an opening extendinglongitudinally therethrough. The opening is defined by a bore 28,counterbores 29, 30 and 31. A tubular bearing 32 is press fitted intothe counterbore 30 and a cylindrical shaft or element 33 is reciprocablyor slidably mounted in the bore 28 and bearing with the counterbores 29and 31 providing clearance to reduce friction. The attaching portion orplate 15 of the reel frame is preferably square or rectangular incross-section and includes a relatively thick extremity 34 provided witha threaded aperture 35 and a thinner and longer extremity 36 providedwith a tapered boss 37, with a threaded aperture 38 extendingtherethrough. These extremities more or less form a tapered plate whichnests or is received in an elongate recess provided in the underside ofa handle generally designated 40 of the rod and merges or conformstherewith.

A mounting unit, shown in FIGURES 14, 19, 23 and 24, is connected to theframe for supporting the spool 2, driven shaft 4, shiftable means 8 forthe line control assembly and the actuating means 6 connected to thedriving means 7 for reciprocating the spool. This mounting preferablycomprises an annular plate 41 and a relatively large tubular bearing 42having an inner reduced end which is permanently secured in a centralhole 43 provided therefor in the plate by upsetting as indicated at 44and provided with an abutment 45. The plate 41 is detachably held in thecup 14 against the base wall structure 18 of the frame by a pair ofdiametrically disposed screws 46 which extend through the plate andconnect with threaded holes provided therefor in such structure. Theplate is also preferably formed with three identical integralresiliently flexible radially extending tongues 47 which arecircumferentially spaced apart degrees for engaging the inner peripheryof the cup to assist in centering the position of the plate. The freeends of the tongues project beyond the periphery of the plate, whichperiphery is concentrically disposed in relation to the inner peripheryof the cup to provide an annular space 48 as evidenced in FIGURE 14. Thetongues are preferably curved or so shaped that they are resilientlydetachably received in three bayonet slots 49 provided in a cylindricalwall 50 of the cover 13 as depicted in FIG- URES 5 and 14. Thecylindrical wall 50 is received in the cup in the annular space 48 aboutthe plate. The wall 50 is also preferably provided with vent openings 51to assist in air conditioning the interior of the reel to permit escapeof water and promote line drying. The cover has a conical portion 52 andan inturned end wall 53 provided with the opening 12 defined by anannular edge which is embraced by a ring-or guide 54 constructed of asuitable hardened material to reduce line wear. The structure of thecover embodies improved principles of design and construction which willbe described more in detail subsequently.

The plate 41 is further provided with a pair of diametrically disposedsquare holes 55 which slidably guide a pair of slidable bars 56 of afollower having fore free ends which are detachably connected to alocking member 57 carried by the spool. The follower also includes anoffset planar bridge or connecting portion 23 provided with a transverseslot 59 which slidably receives a roller 60 journalled on a stud 61eccentrically fixed on the inner side of a drive gear 62 carried by adrive shaft 63 rotatable by a crank 64 connected thereto by a nut 65.The bridge 58 of the follower more or less bears against an inner planarface of the drive gear 62 to assist in stabilizing the movement of thefollower. This follower primarily constitutes the actuating means 6which, as stated above, operatively connects the driving means and thespool to effect smooth reciprocating motion to the latter while the linecontrol assembly is rotating to level wind line onto the spool. The modeof attaching the rods to the spool will be described subsequently.

The hollow offset 27 of the side plate 25, as shown in FIGURE 19,carries a tubular bearing 66 in which the drive shaft 63 rotates. Thebearing is provided with an inner reduced end which is permanentlysecured in a hole provided therefor in the offset 27 by upsetting asshown. This bearing is also provided with an inner fiat end 67 which isengaged by a ratchet wheel 68 keyed to a squared portion 69 of the driveshaft. The portion 69 extends through an aperture therefor in the gearfor keying the gear to the shaft and the latter is upset at 70 topermanently secure the gear against the wheel and the latter againstshoulders 71 on the shaft. The crank 64 is preferably conventionallykeyed to the shaft and a handle 72 is carried by the crank. A pawl 73 ispivotally mounted on a stud 74 fixed on the offset 27 of the side plate25 and includes a relatively short arm 75 for selectively engaging teethon the wheel and a longer arm 76 which is of a length and size and solocated with relation to the other arm, stud and teeth that the upperarm of the pawl will selectively engage the teeth when the crank isturned in a clockwise direction. In other words, the arms cooperate withthe teeth to permit turning of the drive shaft in a clockwise directionbut not in a reverse direction. It will be noted that the ratchet wheeland pawl are substantially disposed within the confines of the hollowoffset 27 of the plate 25.

The spool or line support 2, which will now be described, includes a hub77 freely slidable on the bearing 42, a rear planar annular flange orside 78 and a front annular flange or side 79 somewhat smaller indiameter than the rear flange. The front flange, as depicted in FIGURE16, is preferably provided with a forwardly extending annular rim orflange 80 and a central depression 81 having an opening therein throughwhich a reduced portion 82 of the hub extends and is upset forpermanently securing the flange thereto. The rear flange, as shown inFIGURES 16 and 25, is permanently held on a reduced portion 83 of thehub and against a shoulder 84 of the hub by upsetting at 85 and thelocking member 57 is held against a shoulder 86 by rolling to locate anannular portion 87 of the member 57 in a predetermined axially spacedrelation to the rear spool flange. This annular portion of the member ispreferably provided with a pair of radially extending portions 88 andcircumferentially extending portions or tongues 89 and 90 which arespaced from the annular portion to provide a pair of circumferentiallyspaced arcuate slots 91. Each of the tongues is provided with aninturned detent 92 for detachable reception in a notch or cooperatingmeans 93 provided in each of the fore ends of the bars 56 of thefollower. In other words, the spool is provided with means which isdetachably connectible with means on the follower. More specifically,with this unique organization, after the cover and line control assemblyare successively removed, the spool, which is held against rotation bythe follower can be released therefrom by merely manually rotating it ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 25. It should be notedthat the distance between the notches 93 and the fore ends of the bars56 is substantially the same as the distance between the rear flange ofthe spool and the annular portion 87 of the member 57 so as to gauge andfacilitate connecting the spool to the follower by merely rotating theformer when the slots 91 are brought into registry with the notches 93.It will be noted that the tongues 89 and 90 are preferably notched at 94to promote flexibility of the tongues and that the radial portions 88are provided with forwardly extending projections 95 for reception inholes 96 in the rear flange of the spool for locating and keyingpurposes. Attention is directed to the fact that the front and rearflanges of the spool are preferably axially spaced apart a greaterdistance than the flanges of spools in some other ree-ls of this typeand that the diameter of the hub 77 is also somewhat larger, the purposeof which is to promote release of the line from the spool and provide alarger supporting 6 area for the line. This arrangement also reduces theradial depth of coiled line and consequently assists in preventing lineentanglements.

The line control assembly 3 illustrated in FIGURES 14, 15 and 17 andmode of attaching the same to the driven shaft 4 will now be described.This assembly is detachably connected to the driven shaft by the dragassembly 11 and preferably comprises a drum or cup 97 having a front orbase wall 98, with a circular depression 99 therein and an annular orcylindrical side wall 100 provided with a circumferential slot oropening 101 through which a line control element 102, constituting anactive component of the control assembly, may be projected. The rearfree marginal edge portion of the side wall 100 is preferably foldedback upon the outer surface of the wall to form smooth convex and planarline engaging surfaces 103 over which the line may travel to and fromthe spool in order to reduce line Wear and space the line appreciablyfrom the remaining outer peripheral surface of the wall between theseengaging surfaces and a curved or convex surface 104 formed at thejunction between the side and front walls.

A tubular fitting 105 is permanently fixed on the drum for movementtherewith. This fitting, among other things, serves to stabilize motionof the drum on the driven shaft and has a portion 106 secured in anopening in the depression 99 by upsetting at 107 and is provided with anabutment 108. The fitting also includes a relatively large annularflange 109 seated in the depression and a rear cylindrical portion 110having a peripheral bearing sur face 111. The cylindrical portion isadapted to normally extend into a counterbore 112 provided in aforwardly extending reduced cylindrical extremity 113 of the bearing 42when the control assembly 3 is in a retracted or line winding positionas evidenced in FIGURE 14 or projected forwardly to the position shownin FIGURE 15. As depicted in FIGURES 15, 17 and 26, the depression 99 ofthe drum and the flange 109 of the fitting 105 are respectively providedwith diametrically disposed aligned apertures 114 and 115 for detachablyreceiving a pair of axially extending projections 116 on the dragassembly 11, above referred to, the latter of which will be describedmore in detail subsequently.

The control assembly 3 is mounted on the driven shaft 4 forreciprocation therewith and for rotation therewith or for-rotationrelative thereto depending on the condition of the drag assembly. Thedriven shaft includes a relatively short cylindrical portion 117disposed in the tubular fitting 105, a noncircular portion 118, locatedin advance of the portion 117, which is surrounded by components of thedrag assembly 11, and a threaded end 119 which connects with a nut 120of the assembly for attaching the latter to the shaft and holding thecontrol assembly 3 thereon. A pair of shoulders or abutments 121 areformed on the shaft at the junction between the cylindrical andnoncircular portions 117 and 118.

The driven shaft also includes an elongate cylindrical portion 122,somewhat longer than the portion 117, and is journalled in an innerportion 123 of the bearing 42 and in a bushing 124 of the oilless typesecured in the counterbore 112 in the bearing in axially spacedrelationship to the inner portion 123 to stabilize the motion of theshaft. The shaft further includes a neck portion 125 located between thecylindrical portions 117 and 122, a squared portion 126, and a rear end127 provided with a reduced portion 128. An abutment, preferably in theform of a spring clip or washer 129, is detachably engaged with the neck125- and is interposed between the bushing 124 and the inner end of thefitting 105. The bushing is adapted for engagement by the clip to limitrearward movement of the control assembly and shaft as a unit and locatethe control assembly in a retracted norrnal line winding position. Asimilar clip or abutment 130 is detachably engaged with the reducedportion 128 for holding a helical spring 131 and a pinion gear 132 onthe shaft. The squared portion 126 of the shaft is of a length tosupport the gear 132 for slidable but non rotative movement relative tothe shaft and the spring serves to normally press the gear against theabutment 45 on the inner end of the bearing 42 and in mesh with thedrive gear 62 and urge the aforesaid unit rearwardly so that the clipengages the bushing to maintain the unit in the line winding positionjust referred to. The shaft 4 and control assembly 3 are adapted to beshifted forwardly as a unit by manipulating the actuator 9 on the rodhandle 40 in a manner which will be later described.

Referring more in detail to the structure of the line control assembly3, exemplified in FIGURES 14 and 26 through 31, the front wall 78 of thedrum 97 is provided with a fixed rearwardly extending stud 133 whichsupports the line control element 102. This stud includes a cylindricalportion '134 engaging the rear side of the front wall 98 of the drum, anintermediate larger cylindrical portion 135, an adjacent cylindricalportion 136, similar to the portion 134, a reduced portion 137, and areduced portion 138 which is secured in a hole provided therefor in thewall 98.

The line control element 102 preferably includes a pair of arms 139 and140, disposed generally in a right angular relationship and insubstantially the same plane, which plane is parallel to the plane ofthe front wall 98 of the drum. The free end of the arm 140 is providedwith an aperture which receives the cylindrical portion 136 of the stud133 for pivotally connecting the element thereto. A fastener or springclip 141 engages the reduced portion 137 of the stud for detachablyconnecting the element thereto. The free end of the arm 140 is alsoprovided with a forwardly extending lug 142 which is disposed in apredetermined spaced relation to a lug 143 provided on a control memberor lever 144, also carried by the stud. The arm 140 of the line controlelement is provided with a rearwardly extending projection 146 locatedbetween the arms. The projection 146 is notched at 147 for clearancepurposes. The free end of the arm 139 is preferably provided with anintegral portion which is folded or turned over in parallel relation tothe arm to form an elongate convex surface 148 for engaging the linewhen such arm is moved outwardly through the slot or opening 101provided in the side wall 100 of the drum.

The control member of lever 144, as stated above, assists in controllingthe operation of the line control element 102. This lever has an endprovided with an aperture which receives the cylindrical portion 134 ofthe stud 133 to pivotally connect the lever thereto and due to therelative sizes of the portion 134 and the intermediate portion 135 ofthe stud, the lever is permanently connected to the stud. The levercarries a forwardly ex tending stud 149 on which is journalled a movableabutment, preferably in the form of a plastic roller or wheel 150.Attention is directed to the fact that the element 102 and the lever 144are movable in planes substantially transverse to the longitudinal axisof the reel; that the roller is disposed between the element and lever;and that the rearward projection 146 of the lever is adapted to engagethe element as shown in FIGURE 26 for urging the element outwardly to aline winding position when, for example, the roller is in engagementwith a peripheral surface 113' of the reduced fore extremity 113 of thebearing 42. The rear finger 145 of the element 102 is adapted to engagea reciprocable cam member which will be described later. The roller maybe constructed of a plastic, like nylon, or of any material suitable forthe purpose. Also, it may be made of metal or in the form of a curvedabutment, as distinguished from the roller shown, and its contactingsurface can be treated with Teflon to reduce friction.

Resilient or biasing means, preferably in the form of a pair of similarsprings 151 and 152, are utilized to respectively normally urge the linecontrol element 102 and the control lever 144 in counterclockwisedirections toward retracted positions when viewed as in FIGURES 26, 27and 28. The spring 151 has a coil 153 which surrounds the intermediateportion of the fixed stud 133, a hook 154 engaging a notch 155 in thelug 142 of the control element and an offset elongate portion 156 havingan end 157 which embraces a rivet or abutment 158 secured to the wall 98of the drum. With this organization the spring 151 provides an effectivepressure against the lug 142 of the element to urge the latter in thecounterclockwise direction previously mentioned and also urge theelement against the projection 146 of the lever and thereby augment theurging of the spring 152 against such lever. The other spring 152 has acoil 159 surrounding the stud, a hook 160 engaging the lug 143 on thelever and an offset elongate portion 161 with an end 162 engaging therivet 158 to urge the lever in the said counterclockwise direction. Itwill be noted that the elongate portions of both springs are locatedbetween the element and lever. With this unique setup, and as will bedescribed hereinafter, the control element can be pivoted about the axisof the stud 133 independently of the lever to locate the line engagingsurface 148 on the element outwardly through the slot 101 or to aretracted position within the confines of the drum and that the levercan also be pivoted about said axis which is parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the reel. It will be further manifest that anymovement of the lever clockwise or counterclockwise will simultaneouslyimpart a corresponding movement to the control element. Although thecontrol element may be biased by the spring 151 when the controlassembly is in a certain posiiton, it is not essential that the elementbe biased to move it out of the path of the line at the beginning of acast. In other words, this spring primarily serves to counter-balancethe weight of the element and temporarily maintain it in whateverposition it is moved or retracted by the line.

One or both of the springs 151 and 152 may be instrumental in urging theroller 150 against the peripheral surface 111 of the fitting 105 whenthe line control assembly 3 is removed from the reel or when the controlassembly 3 is shifted forwardly by the shiftable means 8 through theagency of the actuator 9 as evidenced in FIG- URE 14. When the assemblyis in the normal line winding position as illustrated in FIGURE 14, theroller will rotate about the axis of the stud 149 and ride on theperiphery 113' of the reduced portion 113 of the bearing 42 to maintainthe arm 139 of the control element 102 extended through the slot 101 inthe Wall 100 of the control drum 97 so that the line engaging surface148 of the element will engage the line 5 and direct it onto the spool2. The reduced portion 113 of the bearing 42 is also preferably providedwith an inclined cam surface 163 and an axial abutment 164. The surface113' and inclined cam surface may be engaged by the roller forinfluencing movement of the lever to position the control element in amanner which will be explained more in detail subsequently.

The shiftable means 8 for moving the unit comprising the controlassembly 3 and driven shaft 4 forwardly will now be described. Theshiftable means may be designed and constructed in various ways but asdepicted includes an annular cam member 169, preferably made of plastic,such as nylon, which is slidably mounted on the reduced fore extremity113 of the bearing 42. This member is provided with a frontal conicalcam surface which is adapted to engage the finger 145 on the controlelement 102 when the member is moved manually forwardly by the actuator9. The member 169 is provided with an annular groove 171 anddiametrically disposed notches 172 intersecting the groove. A generallyU-shaped member or yoke has a pair of yielda'ble par allel legs 173 anda connecting portion 174 joining the legs. The connecting portion islocated at the rear of the mounting plate 41 and the legs extendforwardly through a center hole 175 in the hub 77 of the spool 2,through apertures 176 provided therefor in the plate 41 and intodiametrically disposed longitudinally extending guideways or grooves 177provided in the bearing 42, which grooves are aligned with saidapertures. The legs are located substantially within the confines of thegrooves and the free ends of the legs are preferably provided withreduced portion-s 178 which interconnect with the notches 172 and endswhich can be nested in the groove 171 by spreading the legs. The yokeand cam are thus detachably connected for movement in unison. The legsadjacent the connecting portion are preferably deformed to provideabutments 179 which are engaged by lwashers 180 on the legs and helicalsprings 181 respectively surround the legs and bear against the washersand mounting plate to normally maintain the shiftable means in a fullyretracted position limited by the cam mem ber engaging an annularshoulder or abutment 1-68 on the bearing 42 to preferably locate theconnecting portion 174 of the yoke in spaced relation to the rear end127 of the driven shaft 4 as shown in FIGURE 14. The springs 181 alsoserve to more or less urge the portion 174 in relation to a rounded end182 of a depending leg 183 of a pressure applying crank 184 pivotallymounted at 185 to a bracket 186 secured to the rear side of the plate 41as shown in FIGURES 14, 16 and 22. The lever is provided with an offset187 having a bearing surface thereon which is preferably normallyengaged with a lower rounded end of the slidable element 33. It will benoted that the bridge 58 of the follower may not only engage the drivegear for guidance but also the crank 184 for the same purpose.

The actuator 9, clearly illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 11 and 14, foroperating the yoke or shiftable means 8 through the agency of theslidable element 33 will now be described. The handle 40 for the rod 10may be designed and constructed as desired 'but as depicted preferablyincludes a central curved moulded housing 188 which is provided with thelower recess or seat 39, above referred to, in which the plate of thereel is detachably secured. The housing is also provided with an upperelongate chamber or recess 189 separated from the lower recess 39 by apartition or wall 190. The partition is provided with apertures 191which respectively register with the threaded holes 35 and 38 in theplate so that screws 192, concealed by the actuator, can be inserted tosecure the plate in the lower recess 39. The actuator is preferably inthe form of a curved lever which general- 1y conforms to the curvatureof the housing. The actuator includes a top wall 193 which is curvedacross its width and length and provided with serrations or corrugationson its upper surface to facilitate pressure engagement of :a thumb orfinger thereto. The actuator also includes side walls 194, a forward endwall 195, a rear tubular end portion 196, and a boss 197 reinforced byinternal webs 198. A screw 199 extends through a hole 200 in a wall 201of the housing, the tubular end portion 196 and engages a threadedaperture 202 in an opposite and parallel wall 203 of the housing. Theboss 197 is preferably provided with a hole which receives the shank ofa member having a head 204 constituting an abutment for normallyengaging an upper rounded end 205 of the slida=ble element '33 in amanner whereby manual pressure applied to the actuator will cause theelement to move toward the reel to pivot the crank 184 to force the yokecarrying the cam 169 forwardly until the bridge 174 of the yoke engagesthe rear end of the driven shaft, whereupon the driven shaft is movedforwardly along the yoke to operate the reel in various respects whichwill be subsequently explained. The partition 190 is provided with aclearance opening 206, intermediate the apertures 191, which registerswith the counter-recess 31 in the plate 15. It will be noted that atleast portions of the side walls and the forward end wall of theactuator are always disposed in the upper chamber 189 whether theactuator is normally raised for operation or is fully depressed in orderto assist in guiding the actuator and preventing entrance of foreignmatter into the chamber.

The housing 188 of the handle structure is also preferably provided witha forwardly extending cylindrical extension 207 provided with a socket208 for receiving the rod 10 and a handle grip 209 surrounding theextension. The housing is further provided with a rear-wardly extendingcylindrical extension 210 which carries a handle grip 211 securedthereto by a cap 212 threadedly connected to a threaded end of theextension. It will be noted that the longitudinal axes of the extension207 and 210 are disposed in parallel relation with the housing curvedtherebetween. It is to be understood that if found desirable the element33 could be made slightly longer so that its upper end or a knob thereoncould be readily engaged by a digit of the hand, in which event, theactuator lever shown could be omitted.

The drag control assembly 11, as best shown in FIG- URE 17, will now bedescribed more in detail. It includes a housing 213 provided with theprojections 116, alluded to above, which register with the apertures 114and notches 115 in the depression 99 0f the drum and flange 109 of thefitting 105 for keying the housing or assembly for rotation with theline control assembly 3. The housing has a tapered cylindrical side wall214, an internal partition or radial wall 215 provided with an opening216 receiving the noncircular portion 118 of the driven shaft, and anend wall 217 provided with an opening 218 in which a handle or knob 219extends, with a radial flange 220 of the knob engaging an inner surfaceof the end wall 217. The knob is preferably tapered and provided withexterior longitudinally extending serrations or flutes 221 to facilitateturning of the knob on the driven shaft and relative to the housing. Thenut 120 is preferably moulded or embedded in the knob for engaging thethreaded end 119 of the driven shaft. This nut is disposed inwardly fromthe flange 220 to provide a space for receiving an outer end of ahelical spring 222 which engages the nut. The spring surrounds the shaftand its inner end engages a friction member 223, preferably of metal,keyed to the noncircular portion 118 of the shaft and located forwardlyof the partition 215 of the housing. A corresponding friction member 224is also keyed to the noncircular portion of the shaft and located at therear side of the partition 215 and engages the abutment 108 on thefitting 105 and the shoulders 121 on the shaft. A pair of identicalfriction elements 225 and 226, preferably of leather or equivalentmaterial, are respectively interposed between the partition and thefriction members 223 and 224 for frictionally engaging this wall andmembers, all for the purpose of providing a releasable friction drivingconnection between the control assembly 3 and the driven shaft. Thefriction member 224 and friction element 225 are preferably permanentlyheld in the housing by upsetting a portion of its rim against the memher224 as indicated at 227, and the friction member 223, friction element225 and spring 222 are preferably permanently held between the partitionand knob in view of the relationship between the end wall 217 of thehousing and flange 220 of the knob, which wall and flange also serve topreferably hold the housing and knob assembled. The spring 222 normallyoffers some clamping pressure and this pressure and others may be variedby manipulating the knob to cause the control assembly 3 to rotate withthe shaft for winding the line onto the spool and also permit theassembly to reversely rotate relative to the shaft when the outwardpulling force on the line exceeds the resistance offered by the dragassembly and the driven shaft and drive gear are held against reverserotation through the agency of the ratchet mechanism. The use of areversely rotatable line control assembly with a normally nonrotatablebut reciprocating spool serves to prevent line twist and entanglement.

The drag assembly is readily removable from the driven shaft and sinceit is a self-contained unit, there are no 1 l loose or separatecomponents which can be lost during assembly and disassembly of thereel. The guide opening in the cover affords ready access to the knob ofthe drag assembly and the size of the knob and opening are such that anannular space is provided through which the line travels.

Considering now the operation of the reel and referring particularly toFIGURES 14 and 26, rotation of the driving means will cause clockwiserotation of the line control assembly 3 to direct the line onto thespool while the latter is reciprocating to assist in level winding theline thereon. During the line winding operation, the outer end of thecontrol element 102 is held in an extended position through the opening101 in the drum to present its surfaces 148 for engagement with theline. The element is held in this position by the control lever 144through its roller 150 engaging the peripheral surface 113' of thebearing 42 and an edge of its projection 146 engaging an edge of thecontrol element. The spring 152 serves to urge the roller against thesaid peripheral surface and the spring 151 urges the element against theprojection 146. The roller materially reduces the friction against thebearing caused by the load imposed by the line and the notch 147 in theprojection reduces friction between the projection and bearing surface113'.

To conduct a cast, the actuator 9 is depressed as shown in FIGURE 16 tomove the cam member 169 forwardly to cause its cam surface 170 to engagethe angled finger 145 of the control element and the connecting portion174 of the yoke into engagement with the driven shaft 4 to move thelatter and line control assembly 3 as a unit to a position whereby theroller 150 slips off the peripheral bearing surface 113' of the bearing42 and flips back against the periphery 111 of the fitting 105 on thedrum. During this forward shifting of the unit the control element 102is held extended through the opening 101 to engage and prevent the linefrom unwinding from the spool. In other words, the cam member supportsthe control element in the extended position in lieu of the lever whenthe roller is in engagement with the periphery of the bearing. When thepressure being applied to the actuator is removed for the cast, thespring 131 on the driven shaft, which has previously been compressed bythe forward movement of the unit, automatically moves the unitrearwardly until the roller engages the inclined cam surface 163 of thebearing 42 to stop or limit such movement and thereby maintain the unitin a predetermined forward position as evidenced in FIGURE 15. Also,removal of such pressure will cause the springs 181 on the yoke of theshiftable means 8, which were previously compressed due to the pressure,to automatically retract the shifting means to disengage the cam member169 from the control element, whereupon the counterbalancing spring 151will automatically return or retract the element to a positionsubstantially within the confines of the drum and thereby free the linefor the cast as illustrated in FIGURE 15.

When one desires to stop the outflow of the line at the end of or duringa cast, the actuator may again be depressed to effect engagement betweenthe surface 170 on the cam member and finger 145 on the control elementto cam and pivot the latter to the extended position into the path ofthe line and thereby prevent the line from uncoiling from the spool.

To retrieve the line, the crank is turned to reciprocate the spool androtate the unit clockwise as in FIGURES 26 and 27 to cause the roller toslide or roll on the inclined cam surface 163 of the bearing until itengages the abutment 164, which cams or pivots the roller outwardly andback onto the periphery 113' of the bearing, thereby causing the leverto pivot the control element into the path of the line, while allowingthe unit to retract to its normal line winding position. Assuming thereis a pull on the line, the organization has the advantage of permittingmanual operation of the actuator 9 from the handle of the pole to movethe free end of the control element outwardly through the opening in thedrum for stopping or controlling the flow of the line from the spool,

regardless of the point at which the roller is in engagement with thecam surface 163. The spacing between the rear end of the driven shaftand the connecting portion 174 of the yoke of the shiftable means 8enables one to actuate the control element in the manner just describedand so that the cam member will directly actuate and support theelement. In other words, the control element can be operatedindependently of the unit when the unit is in its advanced forwardposition determined by the roller engaging the cam surface 163 or whenthe unit is manually held in any one of a plurality of other advancedpositions by application of pressure to the actuator. It will also bemanifest that the operation of the control element under suchcircumstances is independent of the control lever and that the controlassembly can be rotated clockwise without operating this lever to locatethe element in a line engaging position.

Attention is directed to the important fact that for maximum retrieveefliciency the opening in the cover should be not less than to of thediameter of the drum of the line control assembly.

In view of the foregoing, it will be manifest that the reel oifers,among other things, a unique organization whereby the control element ofthe line control assembly serves the dual purpose of directing the lineonto a spool as well as stop or retard release of the line from thespool. In other words, the element is so constructed and arranged withrespect to other associated components that a separate braking structurecomprised, for example, of a pair of relatively movable axially disposedparts are not required. At no time is the line clamped, pinched orcaused to be pulled between surfaces which will deform, roughen, cut orotherwise shorten its life or usefulness.

Attention is particularly directed to the important fact that reverserotation of the line control assembly relative to the driven shaft iscontinuously controlled by the adjustable drag assembly during allphases of reel operation, thereby providing a cushioned line controlsystern which automatically provides a maximum safe load which can beplaced on the line during the power swing of the cast, as well asstopping or snubbing the line during a cast. Otherwise expressed, whenthe drag is properly set for the tensile strength of the line beingused, it is impossible to exceed the tensile strength of the line duringany phase of the fishing operation.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made in the same without departing from the spiritof the invention, and, therefore, I do not with to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. In combination: a pole for fishing, a spinning reel having a frame, apost securing said frame to one side of said pole, a spool having a lineconnected thereto, a rotatable assembly comprising a drum and anextendible and retractable line control element mounted on said drum formovement with respect thereto, means for rotating said assembly to causesaid element to direct the line onto said spool, means for shifting theassembly relative to the spool to a predetermined position to rendersaid element inoperative to wind line onto the spool and thereby permitthe line to freely unwind therefrom, reciprocable means for engaging anddisengaging said element so the latter may be caused to stop or releasethe line from the spool when said assembly is in said position, andmeans substantially coextensive with said post and operatively connectedto said reciprocable means and to other means carried by an oppositeside of said pole for actuating said reciprocable means.

2. In combination: a pole for fishing, a spinning reel having a frame, atubular post securing said frame to one side of said pole, a spoolhaving a line connected thereto, a rotatable assembly comprising a drumand an extendible and retractable line control element mounted on saiddrum for movement with respect thereto, means for rotating said assemblyto cause said element to direct the line onto said spool, means forshifting the assembly relative to the spool to a predetermined positionto render said element inoperative to wind line onto the spool andthereby permit the line to freely unwind therefrom, reciprocable meansfor engaging and disengaging said element so the latter may be caused tostop or release the line from the spool when said assembly is in saidposition, means extending through said post and operatively connected tosaid reciprocable means for actuating the latter to control said elementto stop or release the line from said spool and an actuator carried byan opposite side of said pole for operating said extending means.

3. In combination: a handle portion, a fishing reel secured to one sideof said handle portion and comprising a frame, a spool mounted withrespect to said frame, a driven shaft, means for driving said shaft, aline control assembly mounted on said shaft and comprising a drum andmeans movable thereon for engaging a line to direct the latter onto thespool, means whereby said control assembly may be shifted forwardly to apredetermined position, means for actuating said line engaging meanswhen said control assembly is in said predetermined position, a coverfor said control assembly, said cover having an annular wall surroundingsaid drum and a front Wall provided with a large opening through whichthe line may flow, the diameter of said opening being not less than 80%to 100% of the diameter of said drum, and means mounted on an oppositeside of said handle for operating said actuating means.

4. In combination: a fish pole having handle structure and a reel; saidhandle structure comprising a fore straight extension and a rearstraight extension with an intermediate portion between said extensions;said intermediate portion being provided with an opening extendingtherethrough, said reel comprising a tubular post secured to saidintermediate portion and spacing said reel laterally from said handle, aspool having an axis disposed substantially in parallel relation to thelongitudinal axes of said fore and rear extensions, a unit comprising amember rotatable about the axis of the spool and a movable line engagingelement carried by said member for directing a line onto the spool, andmeans extending through said post and opening for moving said unit to apredetermined position, said extending means also being operable toactuate said line engaging element when said unit is in saidpredetermined position, and means for driving the rotatable means.

5. A handle structure for supporting a fishing rod, said handleincluding a body provided with a longitudinally extending recess at itsunderside, a reel containing mechanism and having a post provided with alongitudinal opening and a plate carried by the post, means securingsaid plate in said recess, said body also being provided with alongitudinal chamber at its upper side and with an aperture, slidablemeans slidably extending through said opening in said post and having alower end operatively connected with said mechanism and an upper endextending into said chamber through said aperture, and an elongateactuator having at least a portion thereof partially disposed in saidchamber, said actuator having one end pivotally connected to said bodyand an abutment remote from said pivotal end for actuating said slidablemeans.

6. A handle structure for supporting a fishing rod, said handlecomprising a center body, a forwardly extending portion provided with agrip and a socket for receiving a rod and a rearwardly extending portionprovided with a grip, said body being provided with a longitudinallyextending recess at its underside, a reel containing mechanism andhaving a post provided with a longitudinal opening and a plate carriedby the post, means securing said plate in said recess, said body alsobeing provided with a longitudinal chamber at its upper side and with anaperture, slidable means slidably extending through said open ing insaid post and having a lower end operatively connected with saidmechanism and an upper end extending into said chamber through saidaperture, and an elongate actuator having at least a portion thereofpartially disposed in said chamber, said actuator having one endpivotally connected to said body and an abutment remote from saidpivotal end for actuating said slidable means.

7. A unit comprising a handle provided with an opening extendingtransversely therethrough, a reel having a housing containing amechanism provided with an internal movable component, means extendingbetween said handle and said reel in general alignment with said openingfor supporting said reel in spaced relation with reference to one sideof said handle, elongate means extending substantially directly betweensaid handle and reel and having one end connected to said component andan opposite extremity extending into said opening for external manualpressure operation at a location at an opposite side of said handle toeffect movement of said elongate means to actuate said component of saidmechanism.

8. The unit defined in claim 7, in which said first mentioned means isin the form of a tubular post and said elongate means is reciprocablymounted therein.

9. The unit defined in claim 7, including means mounted on said handlein relation to said opposite extremity of said elongate means fordigital operation to actuate said elongate means.

10. A handle structure for supporting a fishing rod, said handleincluding a body provided with a longitudinally extending seat at itsunderside, a reel containing mechanism and having a post provided with alongitudinal opening and a plate carried by the post, means securingsaid plate on said seat, said body also being provided with alongitudinal chamber at its upper side and with an aperture, slidablemeans slidably extending through said opening in said post and having alower end operatively connected with .said mechanism and an upper endextending into said chamber through said aperture, and an elongateactuator having one end pivotally connected to said body and an abutmentremote from said pivotal end for actuating said slidable means.

11. In combination: a rod provided with a handle and a plurality oflongitudinally spaced line guiding eyes including an inner eye having alarge diameter located in front of said handle, a reel mounted on thehandle in laterally spaced relation thereto and facing said inner eye,said reel containing mechanism including a spool and an annular drumlikecontrol assembly having a line engaging element for retrieving andreleasing a line adapted for connection with the spool and for extensionthrough said inner eye, means whereby said control assembly may beshifted forwardly to a predetermined position, means carried by saidhandle whereby said element may be manipulated when said controlassembly is in said predetermined position, a cylindrical cover carriedby said reel and disposed in concentric spaced relation to said controlassembly and in front of said spool, and said cover being provided with.an opening larger than said inner eye and smaller than the diameter of.said control assembly located rearwardly of said inner eye, the spacingbetween the longitudinal axes of said rod and reel and the distancebetween said opening and inner eye affording an arrangement whereby theline may Igyrate in a path having a diameter which is greater than thediameter of said opening at a location closer to said opening than tosaid inner eye.

12. In combination: an elongate handle for a pole, a fishing reelcomprising a frame provided with a part securing the reel in laterallyspaced relation to one side of said handle at a l-ocaiton intermediateits length, a line support, a driven shaft provided with an annular linecontrol assembly for directing a line onto the support when connectedthereto, a drive shaft operatively connected to said driven shaft andmeans for driving the drive shaft, means carried by an opposite side ofsaid handle for shifting said driven shaft and line control assembly asa unit relative to said line support, a cover carried by said frame andhaving an annular portion disposed in concentric spaced relation to saidcontrol assembly and a line guide opening spaced axially and forwardlyof said control assembly, said opening being of a relatively largediameter which is slightly less than the diametrical size of saidcontrol assembly so that a portion of the line extending between saidcontrol assembly and an edge of said opening approaches a straightcondition generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel.

13. In combination: a handle provided with means for supporting only atits tore end a fishing rod extending forwardly from said end, a postextending angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handleand provided with a housing containing a reel mechanism, elongate meansslidable in said post and having an end disposed in said housing s01-operating a component of said mechanism and an opposite end extendinginto said handle, and said handle being provided with an opening spacedrearwardly of said rod supporting means affording access to saidopposite end of said elongate means whereby pressure can be applied tothe latter to actuate said component.

14. In combination: a fish pole having a handle, rod and fishing reel,said handle being provided with an opening extending transverselytherethrough, said reel comprising a housing structure provided with amechanism therein and a post, means for attaching said post to saidhandle and spacing said reel from said handle, elongate shaft meansextending lengthwise in said post and through said attaching means forreciprocation, said shaft means having one extremity operativelyconnected with a component of said mechanism and an opposite extremitydisposed in said opening, and means adapted tor digital operationmounted on said handle to actuate said shaft means for controlling saidcomponent.

15. In combination: a fish pole having a handle and a rod, said handlebeing provided with an opening in its upper side, a reel comprising ahousing structure provided with mechanism therein, a post supportnigsaid housing structure in laterally spaced relation to said handle andprovided with a longitudinal guideway generally aligned with saidopening, elongate means recipr-ocably mounted in said guideway, saidelongate means having an inner extremity operatively connected with amovable component of said mechanism and an outer extremity disposed insaid opening for manipulation to actuate said elongate means forcontrolling the movement of said component.

16. In combination: a pole, a spinning reel carried by one side of. saidpole and comprising a frame and a tubular post extending therefrom, aspool mounted on said frame, an annular pickup assembly mounted forrotation and reciprocation provided with a movable element for directinga line onto said spool and preventing its release therefrom, a covercarried by said frame and provided with a line guide opening slightlyless than the diameter of said pickup assembly, a movable membersupported by said frame at the rear of said spool, means for operativelyconnecting said member and said pickup assembly in a manner wherebythelatter can be shifted forwardly to a predetermined position relativeto said spool, means whereby said pickup assembly can be temporarilydetained in said position while permitting actuation of said member tocontrol the operation of said element to prevent release of the linefrom said spool, a rod slidable in said post and having an inner endconnected to said member and having an outer end extending free of saidpost for manipulation to effect movement of said member and meanscarried by an opposite side of said pole for applying pressure to saidouter end of said rod.

17. In combination: a handle, a flexible rod extending axially from saidhandle, a plurality of line guiding eyes including an inner relativelylarge inner eye carried by and longitudinally spaced on said rod, aspinning reel carried by said handle and provided with a spool, a coverprovided with a relatively large opening, a rotatable pickup disposedbetween said spool and cover and comprising a drum having a front wallprovided with a line engaging element which is non-engageable with saidspool for directing a line onto said spool when connected thereto andextended through said opening and said eyes, means engageable with saidelement and having a part extending into said handle for manipulatingsaid element by external pressure when said element is in apredetermined position, drag means for imparting a drag action to saidpickup when reversely rotated, the spacing and the relative sizes ofsaid opening and said inner eye being such that that portion of the rodbetween said handle and said inner eye serves to control excessiveangular deflection of. the line with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe reel to insure proper function of the drag means.

18. In combination: a handle, a flexible rod extending axially from saidhandle, a plurality of line guiding eyes including an inner relativelylarge inner eye carried by and longitudinally spaced on said rod, aspinning reel carried by one side of said handle and provided with aspool, a cover provided with an opening, a pickup assembly comprising adrum rota-table in one direction and having an annular wall providedwith an aperture and a front wall carrying a line engaging element atthe rear side for projection through said aperture for winding a lineonto said spool when connected to said spool and extending through saidopening and said eyes, means engageable with said element having a partextending to an opposite side of said handle for external operation whensaid element is in a predetermined position, drag means for imparting adrag action to said pickup assembly when reversely rotated, said openinghaving a minimum diameter of at least of that of said drum and saidinner eye, the spacing and the relative sizes of said opening and saidinner eye being such that that portion of the rod between said handleand said inner eye serve jointly to control excessive angular deflectionof the line with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reel tomaintain drag operation. 7

19. In combination: a handle, a flexible rod extending axially from saidhandle; a plurality of line guiding eyes including a relatively largeinner eye carried by and longitudinally spaced on said rod; a spinningreel carried by one side of said handle and provided with: a spoolmember, a drum member provided with a pivotal line engag ing element fordirecting a line onto said spool and controlling its release therefromand a front wall having an opening therein for receiving a line adaptedfor connection with said spool member and extending through said innereye; means independent of said spool enga-geable with said element andhaving a part extending to an opposite side of said handle forcontrolling the operation of said element, drag means for imparting adrag action to one of said members in response to line pull against saidelement; the spacing of said drum member, inner eye and said openingbeing such that said inner eye in conjunction with said rod willmaintain the line within a predetermined angular range of movement withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the reel so that action of the dragWill always respond to line pull.

201 In combination: a handle, a flexible rod extending axially from saidhandle, a plurality of line guiding eyes including a relatively largeinner eye carried by and longitudinally spaced on said rod, a spinningreel carried by one side of said handle comprising a housing having a.H0 11 wal PIQVidcd with a relatively large opening facing said innereye, a non-rotatable spool disposed in said housing, a rotatable drumdisposed in said housing between said opening and said spool andprovided with a pivotal line engaging element for directing a line ontosaid spool when connected to said spool and extended through saidopening and said eyes, means engageable with said element and having apart extending to an opposite side of said handle for actuating saidelement when the latter is in a predetermined position, drag actingmeans for retarding reverse rotation of said drum when said element issubjected to line pull, said rod serving to control relativedisplacement between said inner eye and said opening to insure that saiddrag acting means will always be effective to control reverse rotationof said line pickup assembly when said rod is flexed.

21. A unit comprising a handle provided with an opening extendingtransversely the-rethro-ugh, a flexible rod carried by and extendinglongitudinally thereof and provided with an inner relatively large eye,a reel having a housing containing a mechanism provided with an internalmovable line engaging component, said housing including a cover providedwith an aperture, said mechanism also including a spool and a rotatabledrum carrying said component for directing line onto the spool, dragmeans for imparting a drag action to said drum When reversely rotated bythe pull of line against said component, means extending between saidhandle and said reel in general alignment with said opening forsupporting said reel in spaced relation with reference to one side ofsaid handle, elongate means extending substantially directly betweensaid handle and reel, means for operatively connecting one end of saidelongate means and said component and said elongate means also having anopposite end extending into said opening for external manual pressureoperation at a location at an opposite side of said handle to effectmovement of said elongate means to actuate said component of saidmechanism to a position responsive to line pull, the spacing andrelative sizes of said aperture and said inner eye being such that thatportion of the rod between said handle and inner eye serves to controlexcessive angular deflection of. the line with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the reel to insure correct functioning of the dragaction.

22. In combination: a unit comprising a handle provided with an openingextending transversely therethrough, a flexible rod carried by saidhandle and provided with an inner relatively large eye, a spinning reelhaving a housing containin a mechanism provided with an internal movableline engaging component, said housing including a cover provided with anaperture and said mechanism including a spool and a rotatable drumcarrying said component for directing a line onto said spool andcontrolling its release therefrom, means extending between said handleand said reel in general alignment with said opening for supporting saidreel is spaced relation with reference to one side of said handle,elongate means extending substantially directly between said handle andreel and having one end for operating said component and an oppositeextremity extending into said opening for external manual pressureoperation at a location at an opposite side of said handle to effectmovement of said elongate means to actuate said component of saidmechanism to a position responsive to line pull, said aperture having adiameter of at least 80% of that of said drum, the spacing and relativesizes of said aperture and said inner eye being such that that portionof the rod between said handle and said inner eye serves jointly tocontrol excessive angular deflection of the line with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the reel to maintain drag operation.

23. In combination: a unit comprising a handle provided with an openingextending transversely therethrough, a flexible rod carried by saidhandle and provided with a plurality of line guiding eyes including arelatively large inner eye, a reel having a housing containing amechanism provided with an internal movable line engaging component,said housing including a cover provided with an aperture and saidmechanism including a spool element and a drum element carrying saidcomponent for directing a line under the spool and controlling itsrelease therefrom, means extending between said handle and said reel ingeneral alignment with said opening for supporting said reel in spacedrelation with reference to one side of said handle, elongate meansextending substantially directly between said handle and reel and havingoneend for operating said component and an opposite extremity extendingin said opening for external m-anual pressure operation at a location atan opposite side of said handle to effect movement of said elongatemeans to actuate said component of said mechanism to a positionresponsive to line pull, the spacing of said drum element, inner eye andaperture being such that said inner eye in conjunction with said rodwill maintain the line within a predetermined angular range of movementwith respect to the longitudinal axis of said reel so that action of thedrag will always respond to line pull.

24. In combination: a unit comprising a handle provided with an openingextending transversely therethrough, a flexible rod carried by saidhandle and provided with a plurality of line guiding eyes including arelatively large inner eye, a spinning reel having a housing containinga mechanism provided with an internal movable line engaging component,said housing having a front wall provided with a line guiding aperturespaced from said inner eye and said mechanism including a nonrotatablespool and a rotatable drum carrying said component interposed betweensaid spool and said aperture, said component serving to direct a lineonto said spool and control its release therefrom, drag acting means forretarding reverse rotation of said drum, means extending between saidhandle and said reel in general alignment with said opening forsupporting said reel in spaced relation to one side of said handle,elongate means extending substantially directly between said handle andreel and having one end for actuating said component and an oppositeextremity extending into said opening for external manual pressureoperation at a location at an opposite side of said handle to effectmovement of said elongate means to actuate said component of saidmechanism to a position responsive to line pull, the relative diametersof said aperture and said drum and the relationship between saidaperture, said inner eye and said rod being such that said drag actingmeans will always be active to retard reverse rotation of said drum andcom ponent carried thereby when the latter is subjected to line pull.

25. A unit comprising a handle and a flexible rod carried by andextending longitudinally thereof and provided with a plurality of eyesincluding a relatively large inner eye, a reel having a-housingcontaining a mechanism provided with an internal movable line engagingcomponent, said housing including a cover provided with an aperture,said mechanism including a spool and a rotatable drum carrying saidcomponent for directing a line onto said spool and controlling itsrelease therefrom, drag means for imparting a drag action to said drumwhen reversely rotated by the pull of a line against said component,means extending between said handle and said reel for supporting saidreel in spaced relation with reference to one side of said handle,elongate means extending between said handle and said reel and havingone end for actuating said component and an opposite extremity extendedfor external manual pressure operation at a location at an opposite sideof said handle to effect movement of said elongate means to actuate saidcomponent of said mechanism to a position responsive to line pull, therelative diameters and spacing of said aperture, drum and inner eyebeing such that that portion of the rod between said handle and saidinner eye serves to control excessive angular deflection of the linewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the reel whereby to insurecorrect functioning of the drag action.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Bremiller 432O XTaggart et al 43-22 X Le Gal 43--20 Benson 43-22 10 Tuttle 4320 Hull4322 X Skraban 4321 X Clark 242-84.2

Beger 24284.2 Maury et a1 242-842 FOREIGN PATENTS France. Germany.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION: A POLE FOR FISHING, A SPINNING REEL HAVING A FRAME, APOST SECURING SAID FRAME TO ONE SIDE OF SAID POLE, A SPOOL HAVING A LINECONNECTED THERETO, A ROTATABLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A DRUM AND ANEXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLE LINE CONTROL ELEMENT MOUNTED ON SAID DRUM FORMOVEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID ASSEMBLY TO CAUSESAID ELEMENT TO DIRECT THE LINE ONTO SAID POLE, A SPOOL HAVING A LINECONNECTED THERETO, A ROTATABLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A DRUM AND ANEXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLE LINE CONTROL ELEMENT MOUNTED ON SAID DRUM FORMOVEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID ASSEMBLY TO CAUSESAID ELEMENT TO DIRECT THE LINE ONTO SAID SPOOL, MEANS FOR SHIFTING THEASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO THE SPOOL TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION TO RENDERSAID ELEMENT INOPERATIVE TO WIND LINE ONTO THE SPOOL AND THEREBY PERMITTHE LINE TO FREELY UNWIND THEREFROM, RECIPROCABLE MEANS FOR ENGAGING ANDDISENGAGING SAID ELEMENT SO THE LATTER MAY BE CAUSED TO STOP OR RELEASETHE LINE FROM THE SPOOL WHEN SAID ASSEMBLY IS IN SAID POSITION, ANDMEANS SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID POST AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTEDTO SAID RECIPROCABLE MEANS AND TO OTHER MEANS CARRIED BY AN OPPOSITESIDE OF SAID POLE FOR ACTUATING SAID RECIPROCABLE MEANS.